In February 2017 new EU law came into force stating that all manufacturers are no longer allowed to introduce new models of backless booster seats for children shorter than 125cm or weighing less than 22kg.
This law does not affect you if you already own and use a car seat and the gov.uk site confirms that the change doesn’t mean that existing car seats are unsafe or illegal, however, they are encouraging all parents to understand the updated rules for using child car seats.
Below are some key points from Insure 2 Drive on child car seats and some useful links through to GOV.UK:
- When buying a new car seat for your child, make sure that you buy one based on their weight and height
- Until your Child is 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, they must normally use a child car seat
- If your child is at least 12 years old or at least 135 centimetres tall then they don’t have to use a child car seat but they must wear a seat belt
- ‘i-Size’ seats are height based seats and these must be rear-facing until your child is 15 months. Only EU-approved height-based child car seats can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘R129’
- When buying a weight based car seat ensure that it has a label showing a capital ‘E’ in a circle and ‘ECE R44’. These are EU-approved weight-based child car seats and only these can be used in the UK.
You can find more detailed information on the GOV.UK site here
At Insure 2 Drive we understand that having the right car seat is vitality important for the safety of your child. That is why Insure 2 Drive car insurance policies pay towards the cost of a replacement child car seat if it is fitted in your vehicle when you are involved in an accident, or if it is damaged following a fire or theft.
